Australian passport holders can now secure a 30 day, free tourist visa on arrival in Papua New Guinea.

The change in visa requirements was delivered this week by the National Executive Council and is the first time this option has been available to Australian visitors.

Chief Executive Office of Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), Jerry Agus, said he is delighted at the news and sees this decision as an important step forward for the PNG tourism industry.

“We whole-heartedly welcome this news and believe that by simplifying the process and allowing visas to be granted upon arrival at no cost, will entice more Australians to visit one of their closest neighbours,” Mr Agus said.

“Over the last few years we’ve seen such fantastic growth in cruising and now with an easier visa process we hope to see increased numbers for those arriving by plane too.

“We now want to work with all the partners to ensure a streamlined process through the airport immigration system.

“It’s an exciting time for PNG with the tourism bodies and partners strongly focusing on developing tourism infrastructure in areas including Milne Bay and Rabaul/Kokopo, whilst it’s early days we are very motivated to grow this industry and welcome more tourists.”

PNG, which is only around three hours’ flight from Brisbane, comprises more than 600 islands with popular activities for tourists including fishing, diving, trekking, surfing and cruising.